C.1. Atmosphere
The atmosphere can be examined through various aspects, starting with its composition:
Composition of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere consists of a mixture of gases, water vapour, and dust particles, each playing a vital role in weather and climate processes.
Gases in the Lower Atmosphere
One of the key gases is Carbon Dioxide (COâ‚‚), which holds significant meteorological importance. COâ‚‚ allows incoming solar radiation to pass through it but is opaque to the outgoing terrestrial radiation. This means it traps some of the heat that the Earth emits, redirecting it back to the surface—a phenomenon known as the Greenhouse Effect, which is essential for maintaining Earth’s temperature but also a concern in the context of global warming.